I 4022 
[35 
■py 1 



BV 4S22 
,E35 
Copy 1 

THE 

CONSTITUTION 

AND 

ADDRESS 

ON THE 

FORMATION 

OF AN 

mifutattow statutist 

FOR THE 
REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH, 

i 
LONG-ISLAND. 



Instituted May, 1828. 



BROOKLYN: 

ALDEN SPOOLER, PRI5TER. 






v 



OFFICERS 

OP THE 

LONG-ISLAND EDUCATION SOCIETY 
Gen. JEREMIAH JOHNSON, President. 

JOHN L. LEFFERTS, 
Ret. S. N. MEEKER. 
Rev. JOHN BEATTIE, Secretary. 

ABRAHAM VANDERVEER, Treasurer. 



Vice Pres'dlSi 



I 



DIRECTORS. 

From New-Utrecht. 



J. I. Cowenhoven, 
i)r. J Carpenter. 



Gravesend. 

Flatlands. 

Flatbush. 

New-Lots. 

Brooklyn. 

Bushwick. 

Newtown* 

Jamaica. 

North Hempstead. 

Oyslerbay. 



John Terhune, 
John S. Gerritson. 

Abraham Terhune, 
Johannes Remsen. 

Dr. Adrian Vanderveer* 
Michael Schoonmaker. 

John Williamson, 
John Vanderveer. 

Neheniiah Denton, 
John Skiiltnan. 

Abraham Meserole, 
Nicholas N. Wyckoff 

Abraham Polhemus, 
Abraham Remsen. 

James Hendrickson. 
Isaac Lefferts. 

Singleton Mitchell, 
Manuel Onderdonk, 

Joseph Hageraan* 
James Luvster. 






1 ^ 



CONSTITUTION. 

Article 1. This Society shall be called the Ed- 
ucation Society of the Reformed Dutch Church 
on Long-Island. 

Article 2. The object of this Society shall be 
to aid indigent, pious young men of the Reformed 
Dutch Church, who shall prepare to enter the gos- 
pel ministry at our own Theological School. 

Article 3. The Officers of this Society to be an- 
nually chosen by ballot, shall be a President; two 
Vice Presidents ; a Secretary ; a Treasurer ; and 22 
Directors, who shall constitute a Board for the trans- 
action of business, and shall continue in office till 
others are chosen in their stead. It shall be their 
duty to receive benefactions — to take measures fo r 
the raising of funds — to examine and receive bene- 
ficiaries — to make appropriations, and generally to 



t 

conduct all the interests and concerns of the Soci- 
ety. Provided nevertheless, that all the ministers 
of the Classis of L. I. shall be members ex-officio 
of the Board. They shall annually submit a Re- 
port of their proceedings to the Society* Any nine 
of them regularly convened, shall be a quorum for 
the transaction of business. 

Article 4. It shall be within the power of the 
Board of Directors, should they deem it necessary > 
to appoint an execative Committee to attend to the 
interests of the Society during the recess of the 
Board; provided however, that said Committee 
shall not be less than five, of which the President^ 
Secretary and Treasurer, shall be members ex~ 
' officio, and shall annually report all their proceed- 
ings to the Board of Directors, and be subject to 
their supervision and control- 

Article 5. It shall be the duty of the President 
to preside at all meetings of the Society or of the 
Board of Directors, or in case of his absence, one 
of the Vice Presidents shall officiate. The Secre- 
tary shall keep all minutes and transact all corres- 
pondences of the Board and of the Society, The 
Treasurer shall have the custody of all the funds 
belonging to the same, and shall make such appro- 
priations as shall from time to time be ordered by 



the Board of Directors, or their executive commit- 
tee; provided nevertheless, that every draft shall be 
signed by the presiding officer of the Board at such 
time as the same shall have been agreed upon, and 
shall not exceed the sum of thirty dollars per quar- 
ter, for any one beneficiary. 

Article 6. Any person shall be a member of 
this Society by paying into its treasury the annual 
sum of one dollar or more ; and any person who 
shall pay twenty-five dollars at one time, or forty- 
dollars within five years of the time of subscribing, 
shall be a member for life. Any person paying 
into the treasury the sum of seventy-five dollars, 
shall be an Honorary Director, and entitled to all 
the privileges of a member of the Board. 

Article 7. The Society may elect from time to 
time, such number of Honorary Vice Presidents as 
they may judge expedient; and all vacancies oc- 
curring in the offices of the Society, may be filled 
by the Directors until there is opportunity for them 
to be filled by the Society at a regular meeting. 

Article 8. Qualified candidates may be aided 
in each stage of preparatory education for the min- 
istry; but except in very singular cases, no appli- 
cant shall be assisted even in the first stage, who 
shall not produce to a standing committee of this 



6 

board, to be composed of all the clerical members 
oftheclassis of Long Island, unequivocal testimo- 
nials of hopeful piety, promising talents and real 
indigence ; nor shall any person be continued on 
this foundation, whose instructor or instructors, ex- 
cept in very special cases, shall not annually exhibit 
to the Directors satisfactory evidence, that in point 
of genius, diligence, literary progress, morals and 
piety, he is a proper character to receive aid from 
these sacred funds ; in addition to which, each ben- 
eficiary, after his admission into any college, shall 
annually exhibit to the Directors, a written declara- 
tion, that it continues to be his serious purpose to 
devote his life to the gospel ministry. Every ben- 
eficiary shall be guided by the wishes of the Board 
in the course of study which he pursues, and the 
'place where he pursues it. Every beneficiary shall 
give his written note, or pledge, to the Treasurer, 
on receiving all monies, that he will refund one 
half of what he receives without interest if he con- 
tinues in the Reformed Dutch Church, or should 
connect himself with any of the churches with 
whom the General Synod hold correspondence; and 
the whole if he should settle within the bounds of 
any other denomination, and the same with the ad- 
dition of lawful interest, should he not devote him. 



self to the gospel ministry, whenever the directors 
shall demand it. 

Article 9. An annual meeting of the Society 
shall be held on the Wednesday succeeding the 2d 
Tuesday of April, for the choice of officers for hear- 
ing the Report of the Directors, and for any other 
purposes which the Society or Board of Direc- 
tors shall think proper. Special meetings may be 
called by the Board at any time when in their view 
the interests of the Society shall demand the same. 

Article 10. Alterations, of this Constitution 
shall not be made except on the recommendation of 
the Board of Directors, and by the votes of three 
fourths of the members present at an annual meet- 
ing, or unless the pioposed alterations shall have 
been submitted to the Society at a previous meeting 



ADDRESS. 



The above Constitution of an Education Socie- 
ty was formed at a meeting of the members of the 
Reformed Dutch Church, of Long-Island, held 
agreeably to a resolution oftheclassis on Long- 
Island, on the 29th of May last. At a subsequent 
meeting of the Board of Directors, the undersigned 
were appointed to address the community of our 
church on the above subject. 

We trust brethren you are all fully aware of 
the importance of the ministry of reconciliation. It 
js an institution established by our Lord Jesus 
Christ as the King and Head of his church. Hav- 
ing completed the work of redemption on the earth, 
he ascended to heaven, and thence gave gifts to the 
children of men. Among the most valued of these 
ascension mercies of our Lord, wa,s the ministry ef 



9 

the word. "He gave some apostles and some proph- 
ets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and 
teachers for the perfecting of the saints, for the work 
of the ministry; for the edifying of the body of 
Christ. This institution so pregnant with mercies 
to the souls of men, was intended by our Lord to 
be a permanent blessing to his church, for calling 
sinners to his communion, and building up his peo- 
pie in their most holy faith. 

We might indeed dwell long upon the importance 
of this institution, in the promotion of morality, and 
the advancement of the best interest of immortal 
man; but it would occupy more room than the 
present sheet would afford. The principal subjects 
on which we design at present to address you, relate 
to the qualifications of the ministry, and the means 
of their perpetuity in the church. 

The first ministers of the N. Testament Church, 
were taught by the infallible inspiration of the 
Holy Spirit, and were furnished with miraculous 
gifts. They possessed extraordinary authori- 
ty, and committed to writing what was designed ol 
the Lord to be the perpetual and unchangeable 
record of truth. But the ministry of Christ who 
have succeeded to ihese primitive heralds of the cross 
have no warrant to expect immediate and super- 
natural inspiration, or any extraordinary gifts (ox 



10 

the discharge of their respective and all -important 
duties. Yet they have ever felt the necessity of due 
qualifications for the high and responsible services 
to which they are called. Piety indeed, is of es- 
sential importance among the furniture of the mip- 
Istry. No individual should venture upon work 
like this, so intimately connected with the glory of 
God, without a burning zeal for the honor of his 
Redeemer, and a fervent love to the souls of men* 
Far be it from us, to derogate from this qualifica- 
tion of the Gospel ministry. Yet the church well 
knows that piety without learning, is of itself insuf- 
ficient. The holy oracles of God, which furnish 
the great subjects of instruction to the people, re- 
quire the aid of human learning in their research. 
No one can be apt to teach that which he does not 
himself understand. An ignorant ministry leads to 
error, enthusiasm, and licentiousness. The neces- 
sity of educating and fully preparing pious young 
men for the ministry, is so obvious, that the people 
of God in every age have been convinced of their 
duty respecting this interesting object. Hence it 
was that Old Testament saints established their 
schools of the prophets. The primitive christians 
practiced the same important duty. It was urged by 
the reformers from Papal superstition, and from this 
glorious era Protestants of almost every denoixv* 



li 

ination have felt the importance of this object, hav£ 
established their Theological Schools, and furnish- 
ed means for the preparation of a learned ministry. 

The present age has awakened to a more lively 
sense of this most worthy subject of christian enter- 
prise. The church has begun to feel something of 
the force and obligation of the divine command " go 
ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every 
creature." 

Casting her eye abroad over the human family- 
she has discovered in nominally christian lands, 
thousands careless, ignorant, and unconcerned, 
and in lands never visited with the rays of 
the sun of righteousness, no less than 600,000,000 
of our race, groping in moral darkness, and ripen- 
ing for destruction. And thanks to our God that 
he has enabled christians to view this awful moral 
desolation with deep solicitude. He has in this day 
of enterprise, raised up in his church a redeeming 
spirit. While she has for ages been comparatively 
slumbering over the moral destinies of the world, 
and been contented with a supply for her present 
exigencies, it has been reserved for Christians of 
the present time, to arouse from this supine lethar- 
gy, and to put forth a spirit of active and efficient 
benevolence. Hence the formation of institutions 
for the spread of the Bible, the circulation of reft- 



12 

glous Tracts, and the sending forth of living teach- 
ers to misssonate among the destitute. But while 
these operations have been going on, the cry has 
been heard from almost every quarter of our hab- 
itable globe "come over and help us." Our mis- 
sionary societies, domestic and foreign, have en- 
deavored to answer the call. But alas, labourers 
are not to be found. They have called again and 
again for heralds of the cross to proclaim to their 
fellow men the mysteries of pardoning love. But 
they have in too great a degree called in vain. And 
whence, we would ask, shall we obtain labourers 
for these fields already white for the harvest ? Shall 
we find them among those now in the ministry? 
There are not enough of these to supply even the 
present exigencies of the church ; or shall we send 
out among our fellow immortals, men who are igno- 
rant and unqualified for the work of the ministry ? 
Would not this be rendering their condition still 
more deplorable? These blind leaders of the blind 
would but increase their darkness and aggravate 
their misery. Shall we look for these servants 
among the sons of the rich and affluent who have 
the means of education within their own reach ? 
How seldom do we discover among such, men who 
are ready to undergo the trials and toils of the ser- 
vice referred to. But among the poorer classes 



i 



13 

of society, many have been found longing with 
eager desire to enter the ministry, and blessed with 
gifts and grace which give promise of eminent 
usefulness, who have, however, not been furnished in 
the providence of God, with means to secure the 
necessary attainments of human learning. Hence 
the necessity and importance of establishing Edu- 
cation Societies, for the encouragement of the 
pious but indigent candidates for the gospel minis- 
try. In this way multitudes of some of the most 
valuable and efficient ministers of Christ, have been 
prepared for the service of God and his people, 
Inured from youth to the endurance of toil and of 
trial, they have come to the work with a vigour of 
constitution, a strength of nerve and of muscle, and 
above all with a fervour of devotedness which have 
resulted in the most blessed consequences to the 
souls of men. If we examine the lists of those who 
are now in the ministry, we shall find among the 
settled pastors of Christ's flock, multitudes who have 
been thus brought forth, and among the Missiona- 
ries of the cross now labouring in foreign lands, a 
still greater proportion. 

In our own church wo have been enabled to rear 
up by the blessing of God, a most respectable and 
nourishing theological school. Nurtured by the 
liberality and tire prayers of our people, we trust it 



14 

will long continue to be a fountain from wheuce 
shall " issue streams to make glad the city of our 
God.' 5 But there are multitudes to be found among 
the youth of our church, who burn with a holy 
zeal to be engaged in this blessed work, who feel 
their obligation to covenant love, and long to de* 
vote themselves to the glory of their God, in the min- 
istry of his Son, yet have not the means to prepare 
themselves for the suitable discharge of ministerial 
functions. And ought not such to be encouraged? 
Ought not the church to regard such with special 
interest, and provide Coy them the requisite means 
of education, and especially so when the cry for 
ministers is so loud and so extensive ? Without 
any disparagement to others, we may venture the 
assertion, that other things being equal, we may 
calculate on the greatest usefulness from those who 
are brought forward from the ranks of poverty.— 
They are more inured to hardships; have generally 
speaking, been longer tried in their christian course ; 
are more deeply acquainted with the varying shades 
of human character; and more prepared to undergo 
the trials, the self denial, and the conflicts of the 
ministry, than those who have been nurtured in 
the lap of ease and of affluence. Our Lord seems 
indeed to have forewarned us of this truth. He se- 
lected his apostles, with one exception, not from 



15 

the ranks of wealth and of learning, but from those 
who had before held an humble, and even despica- 
ble station among their feliow creatures. . And 
doubtless this course was dictated by his own in- 
finite wisdom, as best adapted to secure the most 
efficient labourers in his vineyard. And does not 
this example of Christ speak volumes in support of 
the duty we are urging — the necessity of encour- 
aging poor and pious youth in their attempts to pre- 
pare themselves for the ministry of reconciliation ? 

It will be perceived from the constitution which 
has been formed, that the Society have adopted the 
system of partial loans. It was thought that this 
course would secure a greater amount of personal 
exertion on the part of beneficiaries, remove from 
them the odium of charity subjects, and at the same 
time preserve sacred the principal bestowed by ben- 
efactors for the education of not only one, but of 
many, for the work of the ministry. At the same 
time it has been judged advisable to favor the youth 
of our own church. With this view, the constitu- 
tion provides that from such only the half of the 
sum expended in their education be demanded in 
return. This system it is thought will best secure 
the great interest of education and encourage many 
to draw from these sacred funds. 



16 

That there are multitudes to be found who are 
anxious to be engaged in the work of the ministry, 
but who are destitute of the means requisite for pre- 
paration, there can be no doubt. Recent investi- 
gation, have found numbers of this description. It 
is to the honor of the present age, so preeminent 
for benevolent operations, that these have not been 
suffered to cry in vain for help. Many have come 
forward with a holy zeal, and have tendered to them 
the requisite aid 

This cause has of late, particularly engaged 
the Christian community, and we are happy to 
find that the friends of our Reformed Zion, have 
begun to feel the importance of this subject, and 
have devised measures foi 1 the advancement of this 
holy charity. It is indeed to be hoped that the 
members of the R. D. Church on Long-Island, 
will not be behind their brethren in other sections, in 
the promotion of this most blessed cause. Little, 
comparatively, has as yet been done by us as a 
community for the support of our Theological In- 
stitutions ; but now an opportunity is furnished, by 
which all who have but a competence of this world's 
goods, can be instrumental in rearing up an able, 
faithful and useful ministry for our church. And 
truly when we reflect upon the many destitute parts 
of our own church — the ravages which disease and 



17 

death are continually making among those already 
in the ministry — the increasing want of laborers to 
supply our wide spread country, at this moment in 
need of nearly 7000 educated ministers, and the 
many millions of our fellow men who have never 
heard the sound of the gospel — we cannot deny the 
necessity for vigorous, active and persevering exer- 
tion in this work of benevolence. And who can cal- 
culate the amount of good which in this way may 
be effected ? By raising up one faithful herald of the 
cross, we may be the means of the conversion of 
thousands; he may prove a link in the happy chain 
of covenant blessings to the family of men, the im- 
portance of which, eternity alone can develope. — 
What light and blessings to mankind, have been 
diffused by the labors of such men as Fuller, Carey, 
Scott, Buchanan, Brainard, and others of similar 
spirit who have sprung from humble life ! And 
how, we would ask, are such choice laborers to be 
called forth and qualified for their office, unless by 
the aid of education societies ? The work then, to 
which we urge you, is one intimately connected with 
the glory of God ; the honor of our Redeemer ; the 
best good ofour fellow men; the salvation of immor- 
tal souls; the extension of our church; the preserva- 
tion ofour civil and religious privileges as a nation 
and the advancement of our Redeemer's kingdom 



18 

throughout the world. And we would ask, shall a 
cause so holy, so blessed, so pregnant with the hap- 
piest consequence to the church, to the nation and 
to the world; be regarded with indifference by any r 
We trust not, but that he who has taught us to 
pray that he would send forth laborers into his 
harvest, will animate us by his holy spirit with 
burning zeal for the advancement of this work, and 
enable us with united strength and effort, to "Come 
i\p to the help of the Lord, against the mighty. 33 

ABRAHAM VANDERVEER. ) 

THOMAS S. STRONG, > committee. 

JOHN TERHUNEo S 




I 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



022 168 744 ?j 



# 



I 



f 



\ 



II il llll' I'M 



II 
022 168 744 9, 



